By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has asked High Court Judge Simon Peter M. Kinobe to revise case management timelines in an application filed by Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale, arguing that the current electronic filing schedule denies the applicants meaningful access to justice.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the lawyers’ body said the directions issued on July 17 in High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 0248 of 2026 placed unrealistic obligations on the two applicants, who are on remand and have limited access to the resources required to comply with the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
The ULS argued that requiring remand prisoners to meet strict electronic filing deadlines, despite lacking access to computers, internet services, legal clerks, stationery and other basic facilities, undermines the constitutional right to a fair hearing and the principle of equality of arms.
Justice Kinobe directed the applicants to serve the respondents by July 20, while the respondents are expected to file affidavits in reply by July 23. The applicants may then file rejoinder affidavits by July 29, written submissions by July 31, respondents’ submissions by August 3, rejoinders by August 6, with the court expected to deliver its ruling on August 13.
According to the ULS, the timetable disproportionately disadvantages the applicants while the respondents—Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the Attorney General—have access to the full resources of the State.
The society also faulted the court for relying exclusively on written electronic submissions in a case it described as involving complex questions of liberty and allegations of interference with legal representation. It argued that a pre-hearing scheduling conference should have been held to address practical challenges facing the applicants before timelines were fixed.
The lawyers’ body further expressed concern over what it described as inadequate safeguards for public and media access to court proceedings conducted through the ECCMIS platform. It said the absence of explicit measures to guarantee transparency risked undermining the constitutional principles of open justice.
The ULS also questioned the lack of contingency measures for power outages, internet disruptions and possible system failures, saying such omissions could further compromise access to justice.
Calling for immediate intervention, the society urged Justice Kinobe to review and relax the filing deadlines to guarantee realistic timelines and meaningful participation by the applicants. It also renewed its call for the Chief Justice to rescind Administrative Circular No. 1 of 2026 and issue fresh practice directions that subordinate electronic court processes to constitutional guarantees of open justice, fair hearing and equality of arms.
The case was allocated to Justice Kinobe by the Principal Judge on July 17. Court records indicate that the matter will proceed under the ECCMIS platform, with a ruling scheduled for August 13. The Judiciary had not commented on the ULS concerns by the time of publication. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
